-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Affectionately known in his home city of Madrid as `` the wise man of Hortaleza , '' Luis Aragones left the legacy of helping Spain 's ascension to the top of world football .

Aragones , whose death at the age of 75 was announced Saturday , coached his national side to the European Championship title in 2008 -- the country 's first success at a major tournament in more than 40 years .

That breakthrough was continued by his successor Vicente del Bosque , who continued with the `` tiki taka '' passing style Aragones introduced , as `` La Roja '' won the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European crown .

`` Without a doubt , he marked the road in this final successful phase . I felt a great deal of appreciation towards him , '' Del Bosque told the national team 's official website .

`` I knew he had some health problems , but I never imagined it would lead to this . ''

`` Always with us , Luis , '' led the website tribute of Atletico Madrid , the club where Aragones played for a decade between 1964-74 and was head coach on four occasions , most recently 2001-03 .

He guided Atletico to the La Liga title in 1977 and the Spanish Cup on three occasions .

`` Luis Aragones was a great player and coach , but before all that a great person and a friend , '' said the team 's president Enrique Cerezo .

`` First and foremost he was Atletico . We want to express on behalf of the whole club our condolences to his family . ''

Aragones ' final coaching job was with Turkish side Fenerbahce , which ended in mid-2009 , and late last year he announced his retirement from the game -- in which he started out at Getafe in 1957 .

He was reportedly taken to a Madrid hospital last week with a serious illness , from which he did not recover .

Aragones will be buried at a private ceremony on Sunday . Atletico will observe a minute 's silence ahead of the home match against Real Sociedad , in which the team will seek to go top of the table above another of his former teams , Barcelona .

`` I wish to express our sorrow at the loss of one of football 's greatest men and one of the most charismatic and likeable managers we remember , '' Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu said before his side 's 3-2 defeat by Valencia -- its first at home in the league since April 2012 .

`` As a club , we had the honor of his services , albeit for a very short time , in the 1987-88 season , when we won the Spanish Cup .

`` We much appreciate his respect for Barca , its model and our players . Euro 2008 , with Puyol , Xavi , Iniesta and so many others , is a great example . ''

Aragones ' appreciation of Barca 's `` tiki taka '' style -- started by Johann Cruyff and developed by Pep Guardiola -- was borne out by the number of the players from the Catalan club he selected for the national team .

But his heart lay in the nation 's capital , where he was on the books of Atletico 's big rival Real Madrid from 1958-60 as a player -- though he spent most of that time out on loan to other clubs .

`` The loss of Luis Aragones saddens all of us who love football , '' said Real president Florentino Perez .

`` Today is a day of mourning for this sport , but it should also be a day of recognition for a legendary figure who was vital in giving us a glorious period with our Spanish national team .

`` He ennobled this sport and all Spanish fans owe him gratitude and respect . His personal and professional career was always characterized by honesty and hard work . ''

The only blot on his international career was an incident in 2004 , when he was accused of making a racial comment -- which was caught on television cameras -- about France striker Thierry Henry while he was trying to motivate his players in training ahead of a World Cup qualifying match .

Aragones was fined by European football 's ruling body UEFA and subsequently apologized to Henry , insisting he had not intended to make a racial insult .

@highlight

Former Spain national coach Luis Aragones passes away in Madrid on Saturday

@highlight

The 75-year-old had been suffering with health issues since his retirement last year

@highlight

He is credited with restoring Spain 's fortunes as an international football power

@highlight

Aragones led `` La Roja '' to 2008 European title after revitalizing team 's style of play